Thinking of freelancing?

General impression

People often think that if you are freelancing, then you make a lot of money. He lives in a luxurious home with expensive gadgets, long remote vacations, and a dream car. It's how it looks from the outside.

Reality Check

On the real side, a freelancer has many liabilities and life necessities to care for independently. Yes, I am talking about the Financial part. He needs to save for his pension. He has to pay several insurances to cover accidental damage (to himself or at work) or in case of disability. He takes care of his taxes and financial administration.

He does not get a yearly Holiday allowance (Extra salary), but he needs to build it himself by working extra hard. He does not get 25 paid vacations. if he is sick and not working for a few days, he does not get any money for that. If he runs into a situation where he cannot work anymore, he does not get his salary.

He pays lots of taxes. He earns way more than a regular employee. He can decide to work only 6 or 9 months a year, but all this leisure comes at a price of risks and self-administration. See summary table below

Let’s see what it takes to be a freelancer and how they differ from regular employees. Imagine you dare to take the risks mentioned above and think about starting freelancing. You need a lot of courage, knowledge, attitude, and expertise to become a freelancer. Something special which is not so common.

Benefits of Freelancing

Why does a company hire freelancers?

What can you offer as a freelancer that a regular employee can do? Why did someone hire you?

The company hires freelancers who aim to finish a project on time and need extra hands. If they are looking for a reliable and experienced person who can hit the ground running.

So freelancers should be experts in the subject. He must be able to onboard himself and quickly finish the job alone and unaccompanied.

Some companies hire freelancers because of policies for short-term projects. Hiring a permanent regular employee can cost a lot in the long term. Getting a few freelancers for 6 months or a year is good for the job. Some companies hire freelancers with specific expertise.

Qualities of freelancer

Freelancers should know how to work under time pressure and deliver quality work. There is no 9 to 5 mentality when you are a freelancer; you need to finish the job on time once you have taken a job in your hands. You must manage time, avoid distractions, be super productive, etc.

This was a short trailer of who freelancers are. In my next article, I have covered how to start as a freelancer. How to prepare before freelance assignments, Arrange a safety net before you start freelance, etc. Read How to Start with Freelancing